Rihanna Releases 'Friend of Mine' for Smurfs Movie

Rihanna has released her first new song in three years, 'Friend of Mine', for the soundtrack of the upcoming animated Smurfs movie, where she also voices Smurfette. The track, described as upbeat and Afrobeats-inspired, marks her musical return since 2022's 'Lift Me Up'. The Smurfs film, featuring a cast that includes John Goodman, James Corden, Nick Offerman, and Sandra Oh, is set to premiere on July 18 and follows Smurfette on a rescue mission in the real world. The soundtrack, to be released on June 13, also features artists like DJ Khaled, Cardi B, and Tyla. Rihanna, who recently announced her third pregnancy, remains optimistic about future music projects but has not confirmed a new album release date. Fans continue to await her next full album, the follow-up to 2016's 'Anti'.